The Effects of the Re-imposition of US Sanctions on Food Security in Iran

BackgroundFollowing the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran in ۲۰۱۸, unprecedented inflation has occurred in Iran’s food market that will undoubtedly affect the food security of the Iranian people. The present study aims to determine the effects of the sanctions on food prices and food security of Iranian households. MethodsInterrupted time series (ITS) analysis was applied to assess the effects of sanctions on the average retail price of food products in Iran. Household food security was estimated by calculating the share of household food expenditure. Costs of following a healthy diet based on the food pyramid were estimated.ResultsThe import dependency ratio of Iran’s food market was about ۲۵%. After sanctions due to the limitations in international financial exchanges a significant increase in the prices of all food groups occurred in ۲۰۱۸, the year after the re-imposition of sanctions. The highest inflation rate was observed in vegetable, meat, and fruit groups. The percentage of urban and rural households in Iran that were prone to food insecurity increased from ۸.۸۴% and ۲۵.۱۷% to ۱۱.۲% and ۲۹.۲%, respectively, from ۲۰۱۷ to ۲۰۱۹. The annual average cost of a healthy diet for a sample Iranian family of ۳.۳, based on the current prices, is ۳۴۱ ۸۶۶ ۰۰۸ IRR (US۲۸۴۹) which is ۳.۶ times greater than the average amount Iranian families spent on food last year (۹۴ ۵۰۵ ۰۰۰ IRR or US۷۸۸). ConclusionAfter the re-imposition of US sanctions against Iran, food insecurity as a result of economic vulnerability, has increased and due to the current status of food prices and incomes, following a healthy diet has become more difficult for most Iranians. This makes the Iranian population more prone to chronic diseases in the near future and if this trend persists, it places the country in danger of food crisis and political instability.

Keywords:

Sanctions , Iran , Food Security , Consumer Price Index